Fast-Casual Indian Chain Rasa Expanding Deeper Into Northern Virginia For Fourth Location

A D.C.-based fast-casual chain has pinned a new location on the map as it plots a regional expansion.

Rasa has signed a deal to open a new outpost, its fourth, in Fairfax's Mosaic District, Bisnow has learned. 

Rasa co-founder Sahil Rahman said the space, which is next to Target along Strawberry Lane, is ideal for the company's growth deeper into the suburbs. The company plans to open the location this summer.

"When we started looking for our fourth location, we wanted to grow into the suburbs to expand our reach and introduce RASA to more folks who have been craving our flavors," Rahman said in an email. "We've wanted to be here for years, and when the opportunity opened up, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to bring flavorful and healthy Indian cuisine to the area."

Rasa closed a Series A financing round earlier this year and has previously raised $2.5M with investors like Rellevant Partners and Vernon Davis. Rahman declined to share how much the latest round, which was led by Rellevant, raised.

The restaurant opened its first location a block from Nationals Park in 2017 and added two other locations in Mount Vernon Triangle and National Landing.

Rasa's pre-made or build-your-own-style bowls are crafted to cater to the business lunch crowd and others in search of a quick Indian food fix, Rahman told Nation's Restaurant News.

Rahman hopes to double the chain's footprint from its current size and is actively seeking additional locations. Typical Rasa restaurants are roughly 1,600 to 2,400 SF, Rahman confirmed.

The new Mosaic District location, previously occupied by sandwich chain Taylor Gourmet and bakery Leon, will feature Rasa's signature design touches, including a handful of swings in the restaurant for seating and two custom doors from India, one each for the front door and an internal door connecting the location to the adjoining Target.